camouflage

[ kam-uh-flahzh ]

noun

1. the act, means, or result of obscuring things to deceive an enemy, as by painting or screening objects so that they are lost to view in the background, or by making up objects that from a distance have the appearance of fortifications, guns, roads, etc.:

   Was camouflage used extensively on fighter aircraft during World War I?

2. concealment by some means that alters or obscures the appearance:

   Drab plumage provides the bird with camouflage against predators.

3. a device or stratagem used for concealment:

   His loud laughter is really camouflage for his basic shyness.

   Synonyms: cover, front, blind, mask

4. clothing made of fabric with a mottled design, usually in shades of green and brown, as that used in military camouflage:

   The street vendors are all selling camouflage this week: pants, jackets, T-shirts, even underwear!

adjective

1. (of fabric or clothing) made with or having a mottled design, as that used in military camouflage:

   a camouflage T-shirt.

verb (used with object)

, cam·ou·flaged, cam·ou·flag·ing.

1. to disguise by means of camouflage:

   to camouflage ships by painting them gray.

   Synonyms: dissimulate, trick, deceive, mask, conceal, hide, dissemble

verb (used without object)

, cam·ou·flaged, cam·ou·flag·ing.

1. to use camouflage:

   The angel shark camouflages in the sand.

camouflage

/ ˈkæməˌflɑːʒ /

noun

1. the exploitation of natural surroundings or artificial aids to conceal or disguise the presence of military units, equipment, etc
2. modifier (of fabric or clothing) having a design of irregular patches of dull colours (such as browns and greens), as used in military camouflage
3. the means by which animals escape the notice of predators, usually because of a resemblance to their surroundings: includes cryptic and apatetic coloration
4. a device or expedient designed to conceal or deceive

verb

1. tr to conceal by camouflage

camouflage

/ kăm′ə-fläzh′ /

1. Protective coloring or another feature that conceals an animal and enables it to blend into its surroundings.
2. Compare warning coloration

Other Words From

• camou·flagea·ble adjective
• camou·flager noun
• camou·flagic adjective
• un·camou·flaged adjective
• well-camou·flaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of camouflage¹

First recorded in 1915–20; from French, equivalent to camoufl(er) “to disguise” (probably a verbal derivative of camouflet ) + -age noun suffix; camouflet, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of camouflage¹

C20: from French, from camoufler, from Italian camuffare to disguise, deceive, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

When they’re not used for moving soldiers, they sit under camouflage netting along tree lines.

From BBC

He said explosions had been caused by butterfly mines - small, anti-personnel mines which can glide to the ground and detonate later on contact - which are coated with leaves to camouflage them.

From BBC

Mr Danon accused Unrwa of being "a terrorist front camouflaged as a humanitarian agency", citing the involvement of a handful of its thousands of staff in the 7 October attacks on Israel.

From BBC

He wore a camouflage print bucket hat, a black mask that covered his entire face, a yellow hooded sweatshirt, tan pants, gloves and was armed with a silver revolver, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think I’m a fairly earnest person, and that’s gotten me in trouble,” Strong said, “but I’m not interested in camouflaging or disguising myself. Life is too short.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cloak
• conceal
• cover
• cover up
• disguise
• mask
• obscure